Alleged killer 'tried to leave Malta'

A 30-year-old man undergoing murder proceedings for stabbing his former partner was yesterday charged with conspiring to escape from Malta on Saturday.

David Norbert Schembri of Sliema pleaded not guilty to trying to escape from the island and relapsing.

Mr Schembri allegedly tried to escape when he was meant to be at home as part of his bail conditions in the murder case, in which he is pleading not guilty to killing 32-year-old Josette Scicluna, the mother of his daughter, by stabbing her some 49 times in her San Gwann apartment on May 3, 2004.

Last February he was granted bail on the condition he resides at his Sliema house, which he was only to leave between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. to sign daily at the Sliema police station.

He was also allowed to leave the house to go to Mass on Sundays and once a week to keep regular contact with his psychiatrist, so long as he informed the police at least three hours before he left home. After his arraignment yesterday, Mr Schembri was remanded in police custody.

Police Inspector Chris Pullicino prosecuted.

Lawyer Joseph Giglio appeared for Mr Schembri.